Shotoku to debut new VR head, studio pedestal

At NAB2008, Shotoku Broadcast Systems will make the U.S. debut of numerous lightweight products, including a virtual reality head and fully featured studio pedestal. Shotoku also will demonstrate its new SH lightweight DV and ENG tripods and pan/tilt units.

Shotoku will add the SH120VR lightweight head and TP-90VR fully featured studio pedestal to its Virtual Studio camera support range. The TP90 is aimed at midrange payloads for camera, lens and prompter configurations of up to 132lbs. All VR products integrate with the Shotoku Serial Position Interface (SPI) for a convenient single-cable connection to the VR system.

The company also will extend its manual pedestal and tripod line with the launch of the SH range of lightweight DV and ENG camera support products. Constructed with high-rigidity aluminum, the one-, two- and three-stage tripods support payloads up to 55lbs.

Shotoku Broadcast Systems will introduce lightweight and robust pan and tilt heads to accommodate a wide range of applications. Shotoku also will debut a multicamera, cue computer control system for robotic configurations.

I just finished meeting with Shotoku Broadcast Systems. The company's president, Naoki Ebimoto, was kind enough -- and patient enough -- to let me play with their range of pedestals and pan/tilt heads. (It's one thing to get to see the equipment in ...